A classical captain's knock by centurion Suzie Bates propelled New Zealand to a crushing eight-wicket victory at the Sydney Cricket Ground today as the White Ferns snapped a 12-match one-day international losing streak against nemesis Australia.

Bates was undefeated on 122 when Sara McGlashan clubbed the match-winning boundary with a ball remaining in the 45th over to give New Zealand the ideal start to the four-match Rose Bowl series, and after accepting the player of the match award she described her third ODI century as a career highlight.

"I think that's number one. To score runs like that against a quality side and get the victory is one of my proudest moments," said Bates, whose previous tons were compiled against India and Pakistan.

The stylish opener brought up the milestone with her 15th boundary and added another four and a six during a chanceless innings that spanned 131 balls.

New Zealand's first ODI win over Australia since 2009 had only one downside - Amy Satterthwaite was denied her maiden ODI hundred by just two runs when she was dislodged by Meg Lanning, who experienced her own heartache as she closed in on triple figures.

Satterthwaite at least had the consolation of knowing her highest one-day score contributed mightily to New Zealand's confidence-boosting upset.

Bates and her vice-captain combined to produce a game-sealing stand of 168 runs from 169 balls as Australia's much-vaunted bowling attack was shredded before New Zealand cruised to 252 for two.

Satterthwaite and Bates clipped their runs at a rapid 5.96 per over to compensate for the early demise of Lucy Doolan and ensure new coach Katrina Keenan's two-week old reign got off to a dream start.

New Zealand should have been chasing less than 249 though an eighth-wicket stand between Jodie Fields and Erin Osborne was ultimately immaterial.

Satterthwaite set the tone for the chase by reaching her seventh ODI half century from 49 balls with her ninth boundary and rollicked along to eclipse her previous highest score of 81, compiled against the Australians at Invercargill in 2010.

A century appeared a formality until she was stuck on the pad by a fullish delivery from Lanning to close the 35th over.

She faced 95 balls and struck 16 fours to reprise a rich vein of form that started with back-to-back fifties against England at Lincoln in March.

"It's sad Amy went out when she did, she deserved a hundred," said Bates as she reflected on one of the most satisfying partnerships she had been party to.